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Is the 180-day visa and frequent flights in and out the best option for a 2-3 year stay in Thailand?
Visa TypesLong-term StayNon-O VisaDTV VisaRetirement VisaMultiple Entry Tourist VisaEducation VisaThailand ImmigrationExpat Life in Thailand
Oct 10, 2024
2 years ago
Auroa *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi I am considering a 2 to 3 year stint living in Thailand ….is getting the 180 day visa and flying in and out the best visa option? I have Aussie and British passport thanks in advance
TLDR : Answer Summary
For a long-term stay of 2 to 3 years in Thailand, while the idea of using a 180-day visa and flying in and out may seem appealing, it has significant risks. Many users recommend the DTV visa (Digital Nomad Visa), which requires a financial backing of 500,000 baht and allows a 5-year validity with 180-day entries. Alternatively, if you are over 50 years old, you might consider a Non-O or retirement visa, which also offers multiple entry options. There are other suggestions like an education (Ed) visa or the Thai Privilege visa for those under 50. However, frequent border runs on tourist visas may lead to entry issues, so a proper visa is advised.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Kuu *****
If you are 50+ years old you can go for retirement visa with multiple re entry permit. With this multiple re entry permit, you can go in and out of thailand any number of time
Ian **********
Do qn education one
John **********
What 180 day visa are you talking about, the only one I'm aware of is the multiple entry tourist visa? You won't be able to spend 2 or 3 years in Thailand on tourist visas though.
If you're over 50 you could look at a Non-O or Non-OA visa
If you're under 50 you could look at the Thai Privilege visa or the DTV
If you're over 50 you could look at a Non-O or Non-OA visa
If you're under 50 you could look at the Thai Privilege visa or the DTV
Angelo ***********
@John *********
He means the new DTV visa.Auroa *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
thanks John how do I get information on the Non-O or NON-OA visas ?John **********
@Auroa ******
if you're still in your home country visit the website for your local thai embassyAuroa *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
ok thanksReply to
Auroa *******
Reply
Stephan ***********
Since nobody knows yet, how exatly the extension will work, yes... out and in is the best way at the moment. If the extension is really just 1,900 Baht and no additional paperwork is needed, then you can stay 360 days before you have to leave.
Angelo ***********
@Stephan **********
There is paper work. You need a TM30, some copies of relevant pages of the passport, and fill out the extension form and have a passport photo of yours, or two. Just like ever extension.Stephan ***********
@Angelo **********
Yep... I guess we are all well aware of the Standard Paperwork for every extension. "Paperwork" in this case means proof of remote work, fonds, more Muay Thai, Cooking Classes, Dentist appointments or whatever the reason was that you got the DTV. Border bounce seems to be easy, but nobody can tell for sure now what the Immigration will do or ask for. We'll have to wait... the first candidates can apply in about two month...Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
Dave ********
I would get a proper visa talking from personal painful ongoing experience . I was doing what you suggest for couple years. Then I tried to fly to Phnom phen stay few days go back to Bangkok ... I was denied entry detained until I sourced the funds back to Phnom phen . I know plenty who got away with it much longer than me but it's random , go to a desk where someone's having a bad day and theirs every chance you'll get rejected after to many tourist visa .. Maybe look at an Ed visa . Others will answer soon with more suggestions .. Cheers 👍
Neil ******
@David ******
it's not that the person was having a bad day. That's their job. They were supposed to deny you entry if you were living here on tourist visa.Dave ********
@Neil *****
Never had any intention of living , I actually intended to go back much sooner but lost 4 front teeth and stayed to complete dental implants ... They take best part of a bloody year.Ken ***********
@David ******
you could have gotten a medical visa.Dave ********
@Ken **********
yeah. Would have made more sense. I was just to unwell to sort all that out ...NM. Lesson learnedKen ***********
@David ******
all goodReply to
Ken ***********
Reply
Paul *******
Are you over 50 years?
Bob **********
@Paul ******
DTV doesn’t have an age requirementKen ***********
@Bob *********
I believe David Paton was asking if he was 50 or older to see if a Non O based on retirement was an option.Auroa *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ken **********
yes over 50Ken ***********
@Auroa ******
then along with the DTV, the Non O based on retirement is an optionReply to
Ken ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
I assume you are referring to the DTV visa rather than the multiple entry tourist visa.
If so and can meet the financial requirement of 500k in your bank then it’s by far the best option for many for long term stay in Thailand.
You get 5 years and on each entry you get stamped in for 180 days.
Bounce and return for another 180 days during the 5 year validity.
If so and can meet the financial requirement of 500k in your bank then it’s by far the best option for many for long term stay in Thailand.
You get 5 years and on each entry you get stamped in for 180 days.
Bounce and return for another 180 days during the 5 year validity.
Barry *******
@Stuart ********
can extend in country for another 6months for 1900 baht . Maximum 1 year stay before having to leave I believeStuart *********
@Barry ******
we are still waiting to see the full details of what will be needed for an extension but I’ve been told by immigration officials that the cost of an extension will be 10,000 baht.Angelo ***********
@Stuart ********
All visa extensions (end visa excepts) are: 1900THB. Makes no sense to change that for a particular visa, when the owner can just bounce out and back in.Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
Making sense is not something that exists in a Thai dictionary. All other extensions are 1,900 baht. Except the DTV. Which at this point is scheduled to be 10,000 baht. We shall wait and see what transpires.Reply to
Stuart *********
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